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Topic Review (Newest First)

11-16-2012 05:45 AM

sparkchaser

Welding cable is not rated for automotive use, the insulation does not have the same oil and gas resistance of SAE spec. auto wiring. Napa wiring meets all specs.

11-16-2012 03:52 AM

EOD Guy

I get my 8 gauge from NAPA.

11-15-2012 06:48 PM

New Bird

Thanks for all the replies. I went down to my local welding supply and purchased a 6 gauge cable. I was able to get small ends so they would fit the stater.

I did call Auto Zone to see if they sold 8 gauge wire. Their parts pro told me the smallest wire they sold was 4 gauge

11-15-2012 03:43 PM

1971BB427

You can use some variety in gauge size depending on the type of wire used. There's a huge difference in amp rating between different styles of wire, and coarse strand #4 wont hold the same amperage as fine strand #4 like welding cable.
Much of the cheap battery cables, and jumper cables made in recent years use less strands, and they wont hold as much amperage. If you go to an electrical supply house, and get #4 welding cable it holds more amperage, but will be much more flexible, so it will work better to connect your alternator. I've got mine done in welding cable, and also my remote cable from the battery in my trunk to the starter. The amp rating for #4 welding cable is double what coarse strand #4 like THW, or THHN are, so you can also go one size smaller with welding cable and get a higher amperage rating.

11-15-2012 01:11 PM

JeffB

Tuff-Stuff has a chart here: http://www.tuffstuffperformance.com/...structions.pdf Note it is "minimum requirement"! I used 6 gauge with my 105 AMP,the cables that Ford uses from solenoid to starter are usually 4-6 gauge and have flat terminal ends for EZ hookup to the Positive battery terminal and alternator post you can get those at most parts stores $6-$8.In some cases you may need a longer battery cable bolt.Because of the length in your case I would go 4 gauge.

11-15-2012 07:48 AM

cobalt327

Quote:

Originally Posted by New Bird

They are telling me to use both wires or because the battery is behind the passenger 's seat and the the alti. is on the drivers side the guy told me to use a even larger cable because of the length of the cable

I would go w/the cable gauge recommendation. The last thing you want is a high output charging system running into a small gauge wire that supplies current to the vehicle, IMHO. I don't know if the wire from the alternator to the starter is necessary unless you're using the starter as the distribution point.

11-15-2012 04:36 AM

New Bird

Quote:

Originally Posted by cobalt327

Go w/the recommended gauge. That wire supplies all the power to the rest of the vehicle- it needs to be big.

You can go straight from the alternator to the battery instead of going to the starter where the positive cable from the battery attaches. Are they telling you to use both (talking about the "second wire" reference)? For that matter you could use a remote solenoid and get rid of the positive battery cable to the starter that's always hot.

They are telling me to use both wires or because the battery is behind the passenger 's seat and the the alti. is on the drivers side the guy told me to use a even larger cable because of the length of the cable

11-14-2012 08:04 PM

cobalt327

Quote:

Originally Posted by New Bird

Hi,

I'm starting to wire my 37 Dodge. I have a Kwik wire kit. I will be using a 105 amp alternator and the Kwick wire instructions say I need to run a second wire 4 gauge wire from the alt. to the starter. Is the 4 gauge a little over kill? Could I use a 10 gauge wire? New cars use 10 gauge for their high amp alternators.

Any help would be appreciated

Sam

Go w/the recommended gauge. That wire supplies all the power to the rest of the vehicle- it needs to be big.

You can go straight from the alternator to the battery instead of going to the starter where the positive cable from the battery attaches. Are they telling you to use both (talking about the "second wire" reference)? For that matter you could use a remote solenoid and get rid of the positive battery cable to the starter that's always hot.

I'm starting to wire my 37 Dodge. I have a Kwik wire kit. I will be using a 105 amp alternator and the Kwick wire instructions say I need to run a second wire 4 gauge wire from the alt. to the starter. Is the 4 gauge a little over kill? Could I use a 10 gauge wire? New cars use 10 gauge for their high amp alternators.